Burwell Pedestrian Tunnel Repair

Navy Archive records from 1912 show plans for the Burwell Pedestrian Tunnel. The tunnel was constructed in support of World War I housing programs and has provided safe access between the City and the shipyard for approximately 100-years. The tunnel facility includes a stairwell descending from street level, just west of the intersection of Park Avenue and Burwell Street; a 90-ft long concrete tunnel crossing under Burwell Street; and the south entrance to the Controlled Industrial Area (CIA) of the shipyard. The project currently under construction is the reconstruction of the north portal which is the portion in the City across from Jimmy John’s restaurant.

The City has been working with the Navy for several years on this project, and both the City and State of Washington are partners on the project. In 2014 the State awarded Bremerton grant funds to construct the project. After two unsuccessful bid advertisements, an alternative approach was adopted where the City purchased a number of materials and equipment, using the State grant funds, and delivered those materials to the Navy to be incorporated into the final Tunnel construction project. While the work is being completed under a Navy contract, the work is being completed in partnership with the City. An added benefit of this approach is that grant funds beyond those necessary for the work at the tunnel have been directed to completing pedestrian improvements along State Street and at Chester Avenue under the Highway Safety Phase II Project.

The project is currently under construction with a projected completion date of September 30, 2017. For safety reasons, the Navy’s contractor (Rore, Inc.,) has requested that the sidewalk adjacent to the tunnel portal be closed during the construction. On May 3, 2017 the Bremerton City Council approved closure of the street adjacent to the construction – this closure was recommended by Bremerton staff for safety reasons.

Pedestrian Tunnel Access, Existing Access

Pedestrian Tunnel Access, 100% Concept Drawing - Final Configuration will be Similar

Pedestrian Tunnel Access, Existing Access

Pedestrian Tunnel Access, 100% Concept Drawing - Final Configuration will be Similar

About Bremerton

A one hour ferry ride from downtown Seattle, Bremerton is truly a beautiful city. Guests enjoy the Kitsap Conference Center, two hotels, fine dining, coffee shops, cafes and the Port of Bremerton Marina in the downtown Harborside area. We invite you to enjoy a stroll through the Arts District, Bremerton Naval Museum, Boardwalk, Harborside Fountain Park and PSNS Memorial Plaza. Or, walk across the Manette Bridge for more cafes and shopping. A few blocks north of downtown is the beautiful Evergreen Rotary Park. If you love golf, don't miss the city-owned Gold Mountain Golf Course which includes two 18-hole championship courses.